The Ghana Technical and Vocational Education and Training Service (GTVETS) has assured the public that it has commenced internal processes to investigate a petition submitted by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) and some staff members of Bechem Technical Institute.
This follows allegations of administrative and financial irregularities at the institution, including claims of financial mismanagement, abuse of office, discrepancies in student enrolment records, and administrative decisions said to be affecting the effective management and overall operations of the school.
According to the Service, the petition had been formally received and was being examined in line with established public service procedures, principles of natural justice and good governance, with investigations already underway to ensure fairness, objectivity and evidence-based conclusions.
Petition
In a statement issued in Accra, the Service said it had taken note of media reports and public commentary that followed the submission of the petition by the PTA and some members of staff of Bechem Technical Institute.
It explained that the growing public interest surrounding the matter made it necessary to officially outline its position and the steps being taken to address the concerns raised by the petitioners.
The GTVETS stated that the petition raised concerns relating to alleged financial mismanagement, abuse of office, inconsistencies in student enrolment figures, and certain administrative decisions which, according to the petitioners, were negatively affecting the efficient management and day-to-day operations of the institution.
The Service said such allegations, if substantiated, could have implications for accountability, governance and the effective delivery of technical and vocational education at the school.
The Service emphasised that the issues raised in the petition remained allegations and should not be treated as established facts at that stage of the process.
It also stated that the ongoing investigations were aimed at verifying the claims through careful examination of records, administrative processes and other relevant information, adding that conclusions would be drawn strictly on the basis of verified evidence.
Investigations
According to the statement, the internal processes initiated by the Service were conducted in line with established public service procedures and the principles of natural justice and good governance.
It assured the general public that all parties connected to the matter would be given a fair opportunity to present their accounts, and that the investigation would be carried out in a transparent, impartial and professional manner.
The Service indicated that where investigations establish misconduct or administrative breaches, it would take the necessary administrative and disciplinary actions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
GTVETS further reassured learners, parents, staff and the wider community that academic activities and institutional operations at Bechem Technical Institute would continue without disruption while the review process is ongoing.
The Service emphasised that teaching, learning and other essential activities at the institution remained unaffected by the investigations.
Restraint
The Ghana TVET Service appealed to the media and the general public to exercise restraint and allow the investigative processes to run their full course.
It added that official updates on the matter would be communicated through appropriate channels as and when necessary.
The statement reaffirmed the Service’s commitment to safeguarding the credibility, integrity and effectiveness of Ghana’s technical and vocational education and training system.
Source:
www.graphic.com.gh